Wednesday, November 14, 2012
A little expansion support in Alabama
I thought this was a refreshing local op-ed piece coming out in favor of Alabama expanding their Medicaid program. I've noticed that much of the rhetoric coming out of states opposed to the expansion have seldom mentioned the basic fact that expanding health coverage is in the interest of the state both from a societal standpoint as well as an economic one. Hopefully more states can do analysis, like this one out of Texas, that actually shows what states have to gain or lose through expansion. Hopefully all is not lost!
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2 comments:
Midterm question #2! :)
Clearly, "red" states are not prioritizing the social benefits of Medicaid expansion. Post-election, I hope these economic forecasts are receiving the attention they deserve. If so, perhaps they will give Gov. Perry and others an "out" to their previous commitment to decline expansion--something along the lines of "this is far different than what we would have chosen, but as we have limited options we will make the decision that benefits our state financially."
Given that their residents and businesses will continue to pay the taxes that fund the ACA, it would be in the state's interest to accept the Medicaid expansion. But I'm curious whether any "Grand Bargain" deal will change the federal financing for state Medicaid programs.
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